General Education and Educational Guarantee
General Education
The requirements for an associate’s degree (A.A., A.S., A.F.A., A.A.S., or A.G.S.) consist of a minimum of 60 credit hours taken from three components: (1) general education core, (2) additional degree requirements, and (3) courses taken in the major/minor field and electives. Course work in the general education core:
- assumes there are some commonalities expected of an “educated person” in terms of what he or she knows and is able to do.
- provides students with the ability to realize their potential as educated, responsible, and productive lifelong learners in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
- consists of a core of intellectual, aesthetic and cultural experiences that will introduce students to essential knowledge, skills and values, and encourage them to make connections across disciplines.
For transfer students (A.A., A.S., A.F.A.), the general education core ranges from 37 to 45 credit hours; for career students (A.A.S.), the core comprises at least 15 credit hours depending on the program of study. For general studies students (A.G.S.), general education contains at least 21 credit hours. Presently, transfer students who complete their A.A., A.S., or A.F.A. degree will fulfill most, if not all, of the general education core requirements expected for the baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university.
Moraine Valley has a standard general education requirement, distributed into the five traditional divisions of knowledge:
- Communication
- Mathematics
- Life and Physical Sciences
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
The specific courses in each division will vary with the student’s degree or program, and the type of courses will change occasionally. The student may wish to contact the Academic Advising Center to determine the exact requirements in effect.
While accurate information and advising assistance is always available regarding the general education core requirements, the major responsibility of getting a purposeful general education rests upon each individual student. Thus, students should also familiarize themselves with the General Education Goals and Objectives in the next section that identify the traits of a generally educated person. By understanding these goals and objectives, students can begin to make informed selections of course work.
General Education Goals and Objectives
The general education program at Moraine Valley is designed to enable students to write, read and listen critically; to investigate, analyze and think independently; to communicate clearly and effectively; to make informed decisions; to respect the diversity in human values and cultural orientation; to identify and appreciate facts, concepts and perspectives within the fundamental areas of knowledge; to protect and enhance the social, environmental, and economic resources needed by future generations; and to foster intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning.
The specific objectives of the general education program are to develop in each student the following traits and abilities:
- Communicating: Read and listen with comprehension. Write and speak effectively in standard English.
- Reasoning Ability: Identify and solve problems.
- Information Literacy: Locate, evaluate and use information effectively.
- Quantitative Analysis: Analyze, interpret and apply numerical, graphical, and statistical data and concepts.
- Scientific and Technological Awareness: Apply the scientific method of inquiry.
- Technological Competency: Use computer information systems and other technology efficiently.
- Social Sciences Perspective: Apply basic principles of social and behavioral sciences influencing individuals and groups.
- Literary and Artistic Insight: Appreciate the nature of literary, philosophical and artistic expression and how particular works have contributed to the ideas and culture of the past and present.
- Valuing Diversity: Value diversity’s influences on experiences, values, and thoughts of individuals and cultures.
- Global Awareness: Recognize major institutions, persons, ideologies, and events that have shaped the nature and cultures of the world.
- Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Work effectively with others. Recognize one’s ethical, legal, social, and sustainable responsibilities.
General Education Core Curriculum
The General Education Core Curriculum at Moraine Valley is described in the Transfer Programs section of this catalog.
Educational Guarantee
Moraine Valley Community College believes in the quality of its faculty and staff, and in the quality of instruction and technical skill competencies it provides to students.
As an expression of confidence in this belief, the college established guidelines to guarantee the transferability of course credit to colleges and universities, and to guarantee the technical skill competencies expected by employers.
If certain provisions are met, graduates of the college’s university transfer programs are guaranteed the courses they successfully complete at Moraine Valley will transfer to their predetermined four-year college or university. Should the transfer institution decline to accept courses for credit, Moraine Valley will refund the tuition and course fees.
Additionally, Moraine Valley’s career training program graduates are guaranteed technical skill competencies. If a graduate of an Associate in Applied Science degree or certificate program is not able to demonstrate entry-level skills expected by his or her employer, the graduate and employer may request up to 12 credit hours of retraining at Moraine Valley. For more information, contact the Academic Advising Center, (708) 974-5721.